Stevie Wonder Scorns the IDF

Pop star stands on the “wrong side” of history.

In the world of intellectual dishonesty, the anti-Israel BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) wins first prize.

The latest salvo was fired by R&B sensation Stevie Wonder, who backed out ofhis commitment to perform at this week’s gala in Los Angeles to benefit the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.

Friends of the IDF is an independent, non-political, non-profit organization that provides assistance to wounded Israeli soldiers, scholarships for those from poor families, and summer camps for widows and orphans of those killed in the line of duty.

Sounds like a wonderful humanitarian cause, right?

Enter the BDS movement, whose sole purpose is to pressure entertainers and business people from having anything to do with the State of Israel.

It took only 3,600 signatures for Wonder to cancel his appearance.

In the case of Stevie Wonder, the pressure came in the form of an online petition that appealed on the basis of “humanitarian” grounds: Since Wonder opposed South African Apartheid, he must now oppose the IDF which, according to the petition, "promotes, enables, and protects Israel's Apartheid regime."

It took only 3,600 signatures for Wonder to cancel his appearance, on the thin pretext that it somehow conflicted with his ceremonial role as a U.N. "Messenger of Peace.”

If Wonder was a true ambassador of peace, he would have stood firm in support of an organization dedicated to assisting injured personnel and bereaved families.

Though Friends of the IDF has no connection to military activities, the media once again got the story wrong, posting headlines such as “Stevie Wonder Cancels Gig for Israeli Military” (The Timesof London) and the widely circulated Associated Press report declaring that Wonder called off a concert “for a group that raises money for the Israeli military.”

Cultural Terrorism

The pressure against Wonder and other entertainers is nothing less than cultural terrorism. When ex-Beatle Paul McCartney insisted on performing in Israel despite pressure from pro-Palestinian activists, Islamist leader Omar Bakri Muhammad threatened:

“Paul McCartney is the enemy of every Muslim... If he values his life, Mr. McCartney must not come to Israel. He will not be safe there. The sacrifice operatives will be waiting for him.”

Many musicians have stood strong against this coercion. One group called Creative Community for Peace says that although we "may not all share the same politics, we do agree that unfairly singling out Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, will not further peace."

Yet musicians such as Elvis Costello, the Pixies, Jon Bon Jovi and Carlos Santana have all cravenly cancelled tour stops in Israel.

Appearing in Tel Aviv, pop icon Elton John took a swipe at the cowards: "Musicians spread love and peace, and bring people together. We don't cherry-pick our conscience."

The BDS movement is patterned after that which brought down apartheid South Africa in the 1980s. Global activists – employing a combination of U.N. condemnations, diplomatic isolation, arms embargo, economic sanctions, and cultural boycott – created the perception of a regime that was illegitimate and immoral, to the point where world outrage caused its collapse.

In 1987, Ted Koppel went searching for "the next South Africa."

Today, the State of Israel has become the new target, the 21st century version of apartheid South Africa. It’s a canard that may have been invented by newsman Ted Koppel. In 1987, after producing a series of programs on South Africa's waning apartheid, Koppel went searching for "the next South Africa." He discovered Israel. As Koppel relates in his book, Nightline: History in the Making and the Making of Television, “The equivalent of Bishop Tutu versus Foreign Minister Botha would be the Palestinians versus the Israelis.”

Current efforts by the BDS movement include:

Economic boycott that urges companies to stop doing business with Israel.

Divestment campaign that encourages universities and religious groups to divest from anyone doing business with Israel.

Political boycott that tries to undermine American support for Israel, e.g. arguing for the U.S. to end military aid to Israel.

Diplomatic “lawfare” that charges Israeli officials with war crimes and issues arrest warrants against them. (In 2009, former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni canceled a trip to the UK for fear of arrest.)

Sports boycott that excludes Israeli athletes from international competition.

Academicboycott that prevents Israeli professors from participating in academic and scientific conferences.

And now, little Stevie Wonder has joined the long list of public figures who have showed more cowardice than courage, and are now on record as standing on the wrong side of history.

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About the Author

Rabbi Shraga Simmons spent his childhood trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. In 1997 he became the founding editor of Aish.com, and later the founder and director of the Torah study website, JewishPathways.com.

An expert on media bias, Simmons was the founding editor of HonestReporting.com, building it into a leading database of pro-Israel activists, where his work was cited by the New York Times as effecting sweeping changes in Mideast media coverage. He is the author of the definitive treatment of the topic, David & Goliath: The Explosive Inside Story of Media Bias in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (2012), which James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal calls "of crucial importance for the future of the Middle East."

In 2012, Simmons produced the critically-acclaimed short film, "Red Line on Iran," outlining a peaceful solution to stopping nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

Rabbi Simmons currently serves as the Director of Aish Communications, handling all marketing, public relations and media activities for Aish HaTorah International.

Visitor Comments: 34

(26)
Debbie,
February 14, 2014 6:30 AM

You are so wrong about Stevie Wonder

This article conveniently omits the truth of Stevie's choice. He said something like: "I oppose war everywhere." Stevie is one of the greatest musicians of all time, and his lyrics show him to be a person of love. He played a beautiful concert here in Jerusalem in the 90's, and sang how much he loved Israel. You have jumped on a bandwagon to diss anyone that makes a move that you interpret as anti-Israel. Stevie's not on that list. You have omitted and spliced to make a story where one does not exist, and look at all the feedbackers who joined you. Pity.

(25)
Caleb Joshua,
May 3, 2013 5:59 AM

Stevie Wonder needs to be enlightened!

Stevie Wonder likewise many misinformed like him needs to be enlightened about the variance between the Boers’ arrival, conquer and reign of South Africa which began in the mid 1650’s and the Israelites possession of the land which was once inhabited by the people who are now out of the face of the earth (Canaanites). They need to be told that the Canaanites are in no way related to the nowadays Palestinians who are actually Arabs who took advantages of the Israelites prophesized exiles to claim ownership to the land of Israel. Lastly it would as well important for Steve Wonder to remember that the country that he presently calls home whole heartedly supported the South Africans apartheid regime.

(24)
Dave,
January 20, 2013 5:04 PM

Ted Koppel

Born in England, Koppel is a German-Jew..US immigrant...whose parents fled the Shoah but whom personally seems to not have learned any lesson from the whole experience

(23)
Larry,
December 9, 2012 3:37 AM

Boycott and divestment reversal

All technology and scientific and medical advancements and inventions should be withheld from any area or group that boycotts products made in Israel or divests funds from companies in Israel

(22)
David,
December 8, 2012 5:09 PM

Fear not. We still have a ribbon in the sky for our Love.

Fear not. We still have a ribbon in the sky for our Love.

Tonna,
June 21, 2013 8:33 PM

Beautiful words...

Very beautiful...thank you!

(21)
w.r.,
December 4, 2012 2:24 AM

Forgive him. He's blind and can't or doesn't want to see the whole picture.

Linda,
December 24, 2012 6:20 AM

Being Blind Physically Is Not An Excuse For Being Ignorant

Too bad, I've always liked Stevie Wonder, but I will never buy a record of his again. Boycotting Israel may be hazardous to your health. Israel invents and shares medical devices and is a first responder in any global crisis.

(20)
selwyn katz,
December 3, 2012 10:42 PM

sad for stevie wonder

Hats Off to all the great musicians that have performed in Israel which stands for peace--democracy--and salvation to the world. Especially to living legends iike Sir Paul MacCartney and Sir Elton John their courage is honoured. ....So sad for Little Stevie Wonder---if it wasn't for American Jews he'd still be Sitting at the Back of the Bus today.---yes little is the word.

Baruch,
December 4, 2012 12:54 PM

Shouldn't Stevie Wonder get a "hats-off", too?

To "Hats Off"(20): Stevie Wonder not only performed in Israel, he recorded the internationally-acclaimed album "Natural Wonder" in Israel, with the courage and honor you aptly describe.

Reader,
December 5, 2012 12:05 PM

Hi selwyn Katz, would you please explain what did you mean by this, Did you want to tell that Stevie reached there with jews help and support?

(19)
Rivka Bayla,
December 3, 2012 10:10 PM

Me thinks thou protests too much. (William Shakespeare)

Stevie "Mr. Peace" Wonder doing a concert for any organization in the world with "Defense Force" in its name is like Coca Cola sponsoring a dental convention. Everyone may have good intentions, but after everyone stops laughing at the irony, it's time to cancel the show.

(18)
Isahiah62,
December 3, 2012 7:22 PM

It's HERE again not Never Again

Thew BIG LIE works. It worked in 1930's and it works now- Criesof "apartheid" which does not exist in Israel (except in the minds of bigots like Jimmy Carter) - from ISLAM 100% apartheid in all their nations by gender- we livein backwards worlds now- evil is good and 2 2=5

(17)
Esther,
December 3, 2012 5:49 PM

This antisemitism is unbelievable around the world-one would think that after so much fame and fortune that they would be content with their life. But then again it's never enough! At least we know now "Stevie" your True Colors!

(16)
Hank,
December 3, 2012 5:48 PM

Palestinians

Why don't the Arab countries use their countries to develope a Palestinian State?

(15)
Yaacov,
December 3, 2012 5:24 PM

Lets talk about APARTHEID and RACISM:

Lets talk about APARTHEID and RACISM:
This page contains a list of sixty-six (66) past and present ARAB members of the Israeli Knesset (the legislative branch of the Israeli government).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Arab_members_of_the_Knesset
POP QUIZ 1: How many Israeli or Jewish members are there in the governments of ANY of the Arab countries or Iran (which technically is not Arab), including West Bank and Gaza?
ANSWER: ZERO (0)
According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, the Arab population in 2010 was estimated at 1.573 MILLION which is about 20.4% of Israel's population. Most of these Arabs are from Palestine or neighbouring Arab countries with Israeli citizenship.
POP QUIZ 2: How many Israeli's or Jews live in all Arab countries combined?
ANSWER 2a : LESS than 6,400 TOTAL in ALL Arab countries COMBINED
ANSWER 2B: ZERO (0) in the West Bank and Gaza
Sooo... WHO ARE THE APARTHEID, RACIST PEOPLE / COUNTRIES NOW???
And, just for the fun of it...
Israel is the only country in the region ranked "Free" by "Freedom House" based on the level of civil liberties and political rights; the "Palestinian Authority-Administered Territories" was ranked "Not Free." In 2012, Israel proper was ranked 92nd according to Reporters Without Borders' Press Freedom Index – the HIGHEST ranking in the region.

(14)
Paul Kessler,
December 3, 2012 4:54 PM

Stabbed in the back by another black. To think I so many jews marched in civil rights movement, jews died for that cause and today most blacks are antisemites. Look at voting record of Congressional Black Caucus when it comes to Israel. Jews can only count on themselves, and sometimes even that is not true when it comes to American Jews. Am I upset? Yes I am.

Leta Cooper,
December 3, 2012 11:13 PM

Racism

I am s sorry that it exists. Why do people have to hate people? I am a gentile but I love Israel and all of the Israeli people. There are more of me out here. Have hope through G that humanity will fail you where G will not. I donate as often as I can. I only wish I could do more but my heart lays with you, all of you. xo

(13)
Gary Katz,
December 3, 2012 4:46 PM

I read that the U.N. joined in the pressure on Stevie Wonder to cancel, not that it's any excuse.

(12)
David Owens,
December 3, 2012 4:45 PM

Dissappointed likewise

This is the first time I've heard of any artist other than Salmon Rushdie being threatened by Israel's enemies. I'm still a fan of Stevie. We can't hold a grudge against our brother, as the Torah commands. We should pray that he'll change his mind and appear. Stevie, if you're reading, was King David intimidated by the Jebusites? Didn't Dr. MLK say that "if a man will not die for something, he is not fit to live"?

(11)
ruth housman,
December 3, 2012 3:53 PM

Punching Holes in Wonder

I used this phrase recently on line, on my Facebook Page so it is rather odd to encounter this now, about this amazing musician. I have a feeling he is not anti semitic as, others have pointed out his many concerts in Israel and overall kind stance. I think there might be more to learn about this. I don't know. I believe there is enormous pressure being placed on Israel right now and Yes, there seems to be that ever present reason to find something wrong with the Israelis. To be equal about this, why don't the Arab smcountries care for their people rather than this constant turning outward as if Israel is responsible for all that is internally wrong with the world.

(10)
Susan,
December 3, 2012 3:14 PM

for anonymous/ number5

Your missing the point of who the money was for...Friends of the IDF is an independent, non-political, non-profit organization that provides assistance to wounded Israeli soldiers, scholarships for those from poor families, and summer camps for widows and orphans of those killed in the line of duty.
Sounds like a wonderful humanitarian cause, right?
Please, we know there are always other reasons for what one does. Unfortunately, our children and families are the ones to suffer from this, not the IDF.

(9)
Anonymous,
December 3, 2012 1:43 PM

Mr Wonder does not see with his eyes and not with his hart the only thing he does almost good is music so let mr wonder stick to his music

(8)
Diane Mintz,
December 3, 2012 1:42 PM

I am very disappointed

I am so disappointed in Stevie Wonder, I thought he had more of an understanding of his Jewish brethren.

(7)
Elisheva,
December 3, 2012 1:28 PM

Stevie should take another LOOK

No one is blinder than he who will not see

(6)
Murray Cohen,
December 3, 2012 1:12 PM

A New Campaign

It is time to start a new campaign. Make a list of entertainers who call for a boycott of Israel and boycott their recordings and performances in protest.

Melanie Vliet,
December 3, 2012 3:29 PM

Excellent idea!

Perhaps Aish will take up this challenge.

Esther,
December 3, 2012 5:52 PM

Great idea! And this goes out to everyone who wants to boycott everything aboutThe Jewish People! Make no mistake Many things have been and still are invented and produced by the Jewish People so go ahead Boycott all you want We Have GOD!

(5)
Anonymous,
December 3, 2012 12:43 PM

HOOPLA OVER NOTHING

A bit of sensationalized hysteria here? Stevie Wonder has honorably & proudly recorded internationally-acclaimed albums like "Natural Wonder" live, in concert, in Israel. That's a statement of real friendship. He has always been a "Messenger of Peace" on the international scene, long before his U.N. title, both in song and deed. Associating himself with any organization associated with anything military anywhere in the world clashes like oil & water. An army may be fighting for good, it may be protecting the peace, but there is nothing peaceful about armies. One can blame him, as well as the people who put this show together, for not anticipating this unnecessary embarrasment. Unnecessary, because Israel is just flooded with peace groups (unlike the Palestinan Authority - check it out with Google). Any Israel peace group would have been a perfect venue for Stevie Wonder. But to accuse Stevie Wonder of scorn for the IDF? And the photo on this article? I didn't hear nor see any scorn in his words or deeds. Imagine the Dalai Lama offering to speak before the Armed Struggle to Free Tibet, as noble as such a struggle may be. That show would get canceled REALLY fast. A show associating Stevie Wonder with a military title was doomed to get canceled. Let's stay clear-headed on who our friends are and save criticism and condemnation for our enemies. Because our words have all kinds of consequences. A little example: I just Googled "Stevie Wonder Israel". All the good music Mr. Wonder did in Israel or with Jewish friends is now buried below 15 pages of heated headlines over this nonsense. The word "Jew" means a person who gives thanks. As usual. we did not lack news to be thankful for this week. Rather than wasting furious red ink slamming a friend of Israel, where is an inspiring article thanking Czechoslovakia for the superhuman guts to set itself apart from every other European friend in the U.N. PLO vote and stand by Israel? That would be more "Jewish".

Melissa,
December 3, 2012 3:21 PM

Thank you!!

Take a bow for the needed clarity of the 'light' that you have shone on this issue!!

(4)
samuel chekroun,
December 3, 2012 11:39 AM

the boycott of ISRAEL

no fair this is your letmotiv bravo dear Cheraga and tank s for
your rigth steet of your articles
regards in support . samuel.

(3)
Daniela,
December 3, 2012 4:10 AM

Added names

So now we're adding Stevie Wonder to the list that includes Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, Phil Collins, who else ?

(2)
Kimberly,
December 3, 2012 2:28 AM

This is why I disliked him on Facebook

When I saw his cowardly act published, I decided to do what little I could and stop supporting him. I inclicked my like of his page and commented on my own page as to why. I hope others will follow. Then maybe he'll choose to educate himself.

(1)
kate b,
December 2, 2012 8:12 PM

Stevie needs this info to make an informed decision

Perhaps stevie might wonder again with proper information from the Arab Pals themselves:
http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=450&fld_id=450&doc_id=5758
There are more than 3,600 examples of hatred, xenophobia, genocide and other human rights violations on this site and MEMRI for him to make an informed decision.
I have tried to search for a contact for Stevie Wonder but can't find one

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

With stories and insights,
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